HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Is It Normal For Tremors To Continue After Stopping Lithium Carbonate?

default
Posted on Tue, 24 Mar 2015
Question: Assuming that lithium carbonate has been discontinued 2.5 months ago after 6 months of treatment, yet a lithium hand tremor persists. Is this tremor a permanent condition? If not, how long until it resolves? Assume that the tremor has been caused by the lithium carbonate.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It may persist for a few months.It will resolve.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

Lithium carbonate induced tremors, like any drug induced tremor, will resolve after the drug is stopped.
However,sometimes it may last upto a few months,even 5 to 6 months.So,I hope it will improve soon.It is not a permanent condition.
Meanwhile,you can start therapy with beta-blockers like propranolol which is the 1st line drug for lithium induced tremors.Other drugs like clonazepam or Gabapentin can be taken.
With time,tremors will improve by itself and you can discontinue these drugs then.
For lithium induced tremors,tremors improvement sometimes don't correlate well with falling serum lithium levels.But these tremors improve with time,so don't worry and be reassured.You will get fine in due course of time.

Hope I have answered your query.If you have some follow-up questions,I shall be glad to answer else,please close the thread-rate it and write a review.Your rating will be of help to me.

Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (15 minutes later)
Thank you for your response. One last question. Will it hurt the chances of recovery from the lithium tremor if the medications you suggested (like propranolol, clonazepam or gabapentin) are not taken?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
No.Taking or not taking these medicines will not affect the recovery.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Thanks for appreciation.
These medicines are symptomatic for tremors.Taking or not taking these medicines will not affect the recovery from lithium induced tremors.

Hope I have answered your query.If you have some follow-up questions,I shall be glad to answer else,please close the thread-rate it and write a review.Your rating will be of help to me.

Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ajay Panwar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 1827 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Is It Normal For Tremors To Continue After Stopping Lithium Carbonate?

Brief Answer: It may persist for a few months.It will resolve. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com. I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query. Lithium carbonate induced tremors, like any drug induced tremor, will resolve after the drug is stopped. However,sometimes it may last upto a few months,even 5 to 6 months.So,I hope it will improve soon.It is not a permanent condition. Meanwhile,you can start therapy with beta-blockers like propranolol which is the 1st line drug for lithium induced tremors.Other drugs like clonazepam or Gabapentin can be taken. With time,tremors will improve by itself and you can discontinue these drugs then. For lithium induced tremors,tremors improvement sometimes don't correlate well with falling serum lithium levels.But these tremors improve with time,so don't worry and be reassured.You will get fine in due course of time. Hope I have answered your query.If you have some follow-up questions,I shall be glad to answer else,please close the thread-rate it and write a review.Your rating will be of help to me. Dr.Ajay Panwar, MD,DM(Neurology)